DIMAPUR: The Hindu Seva Samiti (HSS), Dimapur, has issued guidelines for the smooth and joyous celebration of Durga Puja 2026, urging all Puja Committees to maintain discipline, harmony and eco friendly practices during the festivities.
HSS requested Puja Committees to conduct rituals in a wholesome religious spirit, uphold decorum, and ensure that pandals do not obstruct public thoroughfares. Committees were advised to use eco friendly materials, straw based idols and organic colours, avoiding plaster of Paris to protect the environment. Devotional songs, drums, cymbals and conchs were encouraged, while loudspeakers near hospitals, nursing homes and old age homes were discouraged, with permissible use only till 10 p.m.
The Samiti directed that only diyas or deepaks be used in pandals and mandirs, discouraging candles due to their chemical content. Committees were reminded to maintain public peace and report any suspicious items to police. Idol immersion will take place on October 21, 2026, at the Hindu Immersion Ghat, Purana Bazar, with idols to be transported only by light vehicles. Each committee will be issued 15 immersion cards and urged to cooperate with volunteers.
Committees were instructed not to bring polluting materials to the river, to maintain cleanliness at celebration sites and immersion ghats, and to regulate loudspeakers, lighting and firecrackers as per government rules. Stall owners must obtain permits from Dimapur Municipal Council before operating.
A panel of judges will visit pandals from October 17 for assessments, while HSS teams will conduct inspections and provide guidance. The Vijay Sammelan cum Award Ceremony is tentatively scheduled for November 22, 2026, at Durga Mandir Auditorium, Old Daily Market, Dimapur.
HSS president Yogendra Prasad Gupta and secretary Rupak Das appealed for full cooperation with district administration, police, municipal council and volunteers to ensure peaceful and joyous celebrations.
LMFN extends greetings
Chairman of the Linguistic Minority Forum of Nagaland (LMFN), Bishnu Bhattacharjee on behalf of the Forum, has extended warm greetings and heartfelt wishes to members of non Naga community organisations, Hindu religious organisations, temple committees and citizens across Nagaland on the auspicious occasion of Sharadiya Durga Puja.
In his message, Bhattacharjee called upon all communities to embrace the spirit of unity through their cultures, traditions and religious beliefs, while fostering mutual respect, understanding and peaceful coexistence in Nagaland. He expressed hope that the divine blessings of Goddess Durga would bring peace, happiness, good health, prosperity and well being to every household.
He emphasised that Durga Puja is not only a celebration of faith and devotion but also an occasion to strengthen bonds of unity, brotherhood and harmony among diverse communities. Appealing to all to uphold the spirit of “Unity in Diversity,” he urged collective efforts towards building a peaceful, inclusive and prosperous Nagaland where every citizen is treated with dignity and respect.
Bhattacharjee further expressed hope that the festive season would inspire people to rise above differences, preserve cultural heritage, respect one another’s religious beliefs and strengthen shared values of humanity and togetherness.